Stock Split Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 Stock Split Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is a two-for-one stock split? A: All stockholders at the close of business on January 4, 2012 (RECORD DATE) will receive one (1) additional share, in the form of a stock dividend, for each share of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (the Company ) stock owned. Q: What is the difference between a two-for-one stock split and a stock dividend? A: They are effectively the same. In both cases, stockholders will own twice as many shares after the split. Q: Why is the Company splitting the stock? A: The Company's Board of Directors made a decision to split the stock to make the shares more accessible to a broader range of investors and to increase liquidity in the trading of the Company s Class A Common Stock. Q: Did the stockholders vote to approve the stock split? A: Stockholder approval was not needed because the split was in the form of a stock dividend, and the number of shares outstanding after the split is still below the maximum number of shares authorized by our stockholders. Only the Board of Directors approval was necessary. Q: How does a two-for-one stock split work? A: After a two-for-one split, stockholders will receive one additional share for every share they currently own. Therefore, each stockholder will own twice as many shares after the split as prior to the split. Accordingly, the price of each share will be roughly one-half the pre-split share price, though the total value of the holdings immediately after the split will be the same as before the split. Each stockholder s investment value remains the same until the stock price moves up or down. For example, a stockholder who owns 100 shares of the Company s Class A Common Stock at a market price of $100 as of the Record Date has a total value of $10,000. After the split, this stockholder will own 200 shares of the Company s Class A Common Stock valued at approximately $50 per share for a total investment value of $10,000. Q: What happens to fractional shares that I own? A: Fractional shares will also be split on a two-for-one basis, and to the extent that they do not convert to whole shares, will remain as fractional shares. For example, a stockholder who owns shares of the Company s Class A Common Stock will own shares after the split. The total investment value will remain the same after the split as it was prior to the split, until the stock price moves up or down.

2 Q: How does this affect my Dividend Reinvestment Program (DRIP)? A: Stockholders who own whole and fractional shares of the Company s Class A Common Stock in the Dividend Reinvestment Program will own twice as many shares of the Company s Class A Common Stock after the split as prior to the split. The total investment value will remain the same after the split as it was prior to the split, until the stock price moves up or down. Q: Do I need to pay anything for these new shares? A: No. Q: What are the tax consequences for this split? A: For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the receipt of new shares in this stock split distribution will not be taxable as income. However, you will need to adjust your tax basis to reflect this split in determining gain or loss if you sell any of your shares. Your tax basis for each original pre-split share will be allocated evenly among the original share and the two new shares. Thus, after the split, your tax basis for the original share and for each of the two new shares distributed on that original share will be equal to one-half of the pre-split basis of the original share. Your holding period for each new share will be the same as the holding period for the corresponding original share. Consult Your Personal Tax Advisor The above summary is provided for your general information. It does not constitute tax advice and does not purport to be complete or to describe the consequences that may apply to particular categories of stockholders. You should consult your own tax advisor about the tax consequences of any distribution, the calculation of your tax basis and any transaction you undertake with your shares and for specific advice based on your individual circumstances. Q: What are the key dates related to the Company's stock split? A: January 4, Record Date This date determines which stockholders are entitled to receive additional shares as a result of the stock split. January 20, Distribution Date This is the date when, as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE ), Mellon Investor Services, The Company's stock transfer agent, will adjust stockholders holdings to reflect the stock split. January 23, Ex-Distribution Date This is the date when Estee Lauder common stock will begin trading at its new split-adjusted price on the NYSE. Q: Does the stock split change my percentage ownership in the Company?

3 A: No, the stock split does not change your proportionate interest in the company. Q: Can I trade shares between the Announcement Date November 3, 2011 and the Record Date? A: Yes. Q: Can I trade shares between the Record Date and the Distribution Date? A: Yes. Shares trading under the symbol EL will continue to trade at the higher pre-split price in the regular way market. Sellers at the regular way price are not entitled to the split shares they would have received by virtue of their being holders on the Record Date because sellers receive full value for the shares they sell. Sellers transfer the split shares to their buyers by means of due bills. The redemption date for due bills is January 25, If you buy stock at the regular way price, you are normally entitled to receive the stock split shares. From January 4, 2012 through January 20, 2012, The Company's Class A Common Stock will trade only at the regular way price. The Company's Class A Common Stock will trade at the post-split price on January 23, 2012, the day after the stock split share distribution. For further information on regular way trading, you should contact your broker. Q: Will there be a when issued market for the split shares? A: At this time we do not anticipate a when issued market for the split shares. However, the establishment of such a market would be outside the control of the Company and BNY Mellon. Q: When will I receive my stock split shares? A: On or about January 20, 2012, The Company's transfer agent, BNY Mellon, will send to registered holders a personalized DRS Statement regarding their new book-entry shares. Q: Where will the notification be mailed? A: If you are a registered stockholder, your notification will be mailed to the address that our transfer agent, BNY Mellon, has on file. To verify the accuracy of your address, you can contact BNY Mellon directly at (International callers use ) or online at If you hold your shares in a brokerage account in the broker s name, the additional shares will be sent directly to your broker. Q: How can I update my mailing address? A: If you are a registered stockholder, you can update your address by contacting our transfer agent, BNY Mellon, at (International

4 callers use ) or online at Q: If my shares are held in street name, how will I be notified? A: Your broker will notify you. Q: Will I receive a stock certificate for the new shares? A: No. If you are a registered holder of the Company Class A Common Stock, you will receive the stock split shares in book-entry form. This means that your shares will be credited to an account registered in your name on the books of The Company, which are maintained by BNY Mellon. Q: What is book-entry? A: Book-entry form of registered ownership allows you to own shares without having paper stock certificates in your possession. You are the owner of record and enjoy the same stockholder benefits as you would if you maintained stock certificates. Q: What are the benefits of book-entry shares? A: Book entry ownership eliminates some of the problems associated with paper certificates such as storage and safety of securities. Book-entry shares also eliminate the requirement for physical movement of stock certificates at the time of sale or transfer of ownership. Q: How do I keep track of my book-entry shares? A: You are encouraged to view your account balance and activity online at Q: I have stock certificates. Can I convert them to book-entry shares? A: Yes. Simply send your stock certificates to BNY Mellon, PO Box , Pittsburgh, PA , with written instructions to deposit them in your account as book-entry items. Do not endorse the certificates or complete the assignment section. Certificates should be sent to BNY Mellon at the address above by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, or some other form of traceable mail, and properly insured. The insured amount should represent the replacement cost that will be charged to you if your certificates are lost in transit to BNY Mellon. You can contact BNY Mellon at (International callers use ) or online at to obtain the replacement cost for insurance purposes. BNY Mellon will provide to you a statement confirming the deposit of your shares to your book-entry account. Q: Can I get stock certificates for my book-entry shares?

5 A: You may request stock certificates for the whole shares in your book-entry account at any time. Simply contact BNY Mellon at (International callers use ) with your request and a stock certificate for the requested number of whole shares will be sent to you. Q: What should I do with the stock certificates I currently hold? Are they still valid? A: The stock certificates that you currently hold are still valid and should not be destroyed or exchanged. Those certificates continue to represent the same number of shares as shown on their face and should be kept in a secure place. Q: What happens if I lose my Stock Distribution Statement? A: Unlike stock certificates, the Stock Distribution Statement is not a negotiable document, so there is no replacement fee. You can request replacement statements at any time by contacting BNY Mellon at (International callers use ). Q: Has the Company ever split the stock before? A: This is the Company's second stock split. The first stock split occurred on June 2, 1999 and it was a two-for-one split.